erythromycin stearate at a glance
Medicine class
Macrolide antibiotic
Important safety check
Tell the prescriber about heart-rhythm problems and every other medicine or supplement you take.
What is erythromycin stearate used for?
Licensed uses include treating or preventing infections caused by erythromycin-sensitive organisms, including:
Upper and lower respiratory-tract infections
Ear, mouth, dental and eyelid infections
Skin and soft-tissue infections, including impetigo, cellulitis and pustular acne
Certain gastrointestinal, bone and genitourinary infections
Selected sexually transmitted infections, diphtheria and scarlet fever
Prevention of infection in specified surgical, trauma, burn and rheumatic-fever contexts
How does erythromycin stearate work?
Erythromycin binds to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and suppresses protein production, preventing susceptible bacteria from growing and sustaining infection.
How to take erythromycin stearate
Follow the dispensing label and swallow the tablets whole with water.
Check the supplied leaflet for product-specific instructions.
Ask a pharmacist if swallowing tablets is difficult; a liquid formulation may be more suitable.
Tell the prescriber if symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected.
erythromycin stearate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
- Abdominal discomfort, bloating or indigestion
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, or a severe blistering or peeling rash
- Chest pain, palpitations, fainting or an abnormal heartbeat
- Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea
- Severe abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools, which may indicate liver or gallbladder injury
- New tinnitus or hearing loss
erythromycin stearate in pregnancy
Erythromycin can be used during pregnancy when recommended by a clinician. UK pregnancy information reports no overall concern about fetal harm, while the product information notes conflicting evidence and a possible small first-trimester cardiovascular-malformation risk. The prescriber should balance these uncertainties against the benefits of treatment.
erythromycin stearate while breastfeeding
Erythromycin may be used while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant with precautionary monitoring. Small amounts enter milk; seek advice if the baby develops diarrhoea, vomiting, poor feeding, oral thrush, rash, unusual irritability or sleepiness. Specialist advice is appropriate for premature or unwell infants.
erythromycin stearate interactions
Erythromycin inhibits important metabolic enzymes and transporters and can add to QT-prolonging effects. A full medication review is essential.
Simvastatin
Contraindicated because erythromycin can increase statin exposure and the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
Atorvastatin
Erythromycin can increase exposure; the prescriber may consider another antibiotic or temporarily interrupting the statin.
Warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants
Anticoagulant effects or exposure may increase, raising bleeding risk and sometimes requiring closer monitoring.
Common questions about erythromycin stearate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is erythromycin stearate the same as erythromycin?
Erythromycin stearate is a salt form used to deliver erythromycin in oral tablets; erythromycin provides the antibacterial action.
Is erythromycin stearate a penicillin?
No. It is a macrolide antibiotic and may be considered for some infections when penicillin is unsuitable, depending on bacterial susceptibility and individual factors.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.